| Your child watched the movie, The Mighty Ducks, and | | | | In most house leagues, everyone plays an equal |
| now they're gung ho about playing ice hockey. You | | | | amount of time. No one is benched for lack of skill. The |
| have never even set foot inside an ice rink, so you're | | | | team will usually have two practices for every one |
| wondering where to begin. Here are some helpful tips | | | | game they play. At most rinks, the younger players |
| to guide you through the process. | | | | have the earliest time slots, so don't be shocked if your |
| ICE SKATING INSTRUCTION | | | | player has a 6:00 AM ice slot on both Saturday and |
| It's seems obvious, but some people forget that ice | | | | Sunday mornings. You'll need to be at the rink 30 |
| hockey is played on ice - and if you can't skate, you | | | | minutes early to give your child plenty of time to |
| can't really play. So, the first step is enrolling your child | | | | change into their equipment. These early morning |
| in a good ice skating program. Don't be put off if the | | | | sessions give the parents a chance to moan and |
| instructor at your local rink is a figure skater. That's not | | | | groan together and, believe it or not, is quite a good |
| unusual at all. Figure skaters understand how to use | | | | bonding experience - especially if there's coffee |
| the edges of the skates and can teach your child the | | | | involved. |
| important basics about how to move forward, make | | | | Practices are very important at this level. The kids |
| turns and, most importantly, how to stop. Typically, a | | | | have more actual time handling the puck and skating in |
| learn to skate program would be about 8 - 12 weeks | | | | a practice than they do in a game scenario. Games |
| of weekly instruction. You can usually rent hockey | | | | are viewed as a reward for working hard in practice. |
| skates from the ice rink at this stage. | | | | Encourage your child to take practices seriously and |
| HOCKEY INITIATION CLASS | | | | not goof off. This work ethic will carry them through |
| Once your child knows how to do the basic skating | | | | the advanced levels when they're older. |
| moves, it's time to move onto hockey instruction. In this | | | | With house teams, there is one coach (who's usually a |
| class they'll learn the basic hockey equipment, the rules | | | | Dad of one of the players on the team), along with |
| of the game, and will start to get a feel for using their | | | | one or two assistant coaches. The assistants might be |
| new skating skills in conjunction with the hockey | | | | Dads, or they could be older players who want to help |
| equipment. This class is a must for kids who want to | | | | out. Also, there's a team Mom who's selected. She |
| play. Often, the facility will rent out the hockey gear so | | | | typically comes up with a snack schedule, as well as |
| you won't have to make a major investment in | | | | delegating any other volunteer jobs that need to be |
| equipment until you're sure your child likes it and wants | | | | filled. Some rinks require teams to have a volunteer run |
| to continue. | | | | the timeclock or fill out the score sheet. Most rinks |
| BUYING HOCKEY GEAR | | | | require one parent volunteer to hang out in the penalty |
| A lot of parents who are new to the game of hockey | | | | box to help the kids open and close the door (as well |
| get sold a bill of goods when it comes to purchasing | | | | as to calm any tempers). The best thing you can do |
| hockey equipment for their child. There is no reason to | | | | for your child is to be open to helping out. It takes a lot |
| buy new equipment for a beginner. The only pieces | | | | of teamwork from the parents to make it all work. If |
| you'll want to buy new are a helmet, a wooden | | | | you approach it with a willing attitude, you're ahead of |
| hockey stick, and a hockey jock. If you buy everything | | | | the game. |
| else second-hand, that's just fine. Used hockey gear is | | | | PARENT SPECTATORS |
| easy to find online through hockey auction sites | | | | The worst thing to see at a youth hockey game is a |
| specializing in selling used hockey gear. These can be | | | | parent who's out of control with their emotions. If you |
| a great place to find a real bargain. Rather than going | | | | take away nothing else from this article, please |
| to your local hockey shop and paying hundreds of | | | | remember this: It's just a game. Your kid will most likely |
| dollars for brand new equipment, look for used instead. | | | | not make it to the NHL (and if they do, that's great |
| It just makes more sense. | | | | too), and (most importantly) if your kids plays this game |
| SIGNING UP FOR A "HOUSE" LEAGUE TEAM | | | | for many years, you'll be seeing these same coaches, |
| When most kids start out (especially if they are Mites - | | | | parents, and players for a very long time. Don't burn |
| ages 7 and 8), they will need to start out in a "house" | | | | any bridges because you'll probably end up regretting it. |
| league, also known as a "rec" league. This is the best | | | | CONCLUSION |
| place for kids to start out and develop their game. All | | | | Hopefully, this has given you some valuable information |
| the kids sign up and usually there is some sort of an | | | | to get your son or daughter started in ice hockey. |
| evaluation session. All the coaches for all the teams | | | | However far your child decides to go with the game, |
| are present and they have the chance to take a look | | | | the experience they will gain in teamwork, |
| at all the kids during this practice session. Then, the | | | | camaraderie, sportsmanship, and self-discipline will be |
| teams are selected, making an effort to even out the | | | | invaluable as they mature into adulthood. |
| talent so the teams are balanced. | | | | |